James Cropper to sponsor Wainwright Prize

The Wainwright Prize for UK Nature and Conservation Writing has entered into a three-year sponsorship deal with James Cropper PLC, a paper-making company based in the Lake District.

Named after nature writer Alfred Wainwright and held in association with the National Trust, the prize is awarded annually to the book that most successfully inspires readers to explore the outdoors and to nurture a respect for the natural world. James Cropper was founded in 1845, in Kendal, the town Alfred Wainwright lived in.

The new sponsorship deal was negotiated by Mike Mackenzie from AGILE, the publishing marketing agency which also project manages the prize. AGILE founder Alastair Giles remains prize director.

All Wainwright Prize point-of-sale materials will be printed on James Cropper paper and the brochure will be printed on paper made using fibre from the company's CupCycling facility (recycling of paper cups) in the Lake District.

Mark Cropper, James Cropper chairman, said: "Throughout society, people are increasingly rediscovering a love of books and spending more time connecting with nature and green spaces. We are delighted to support the authors involved in this year’s Wainwright Prize who are telling their story with paper; writing such wonderful books, and inspiring book lovers of all generations to connect with the natural world and share an intrinsic attitude towards global conservation’.

Jane King, step-daughter of Alfred Wainwright, added: "I am thrilled that James Cropper is sponsoring the Wainwright literary prizes this year. Growing up near the paper mill, I have always known the company, and their local knowledge and reputation for sustainability make them an ideal sponsor. I’m sure that Wainwright himself and my mother would have been delighted with the partnership."

This year's longlist features Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald (Vintage), The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn (Michael Joseph) and Anita Sethi's I Belong Here (Bloomsbury) among others. For the second year, the 2021 prize includes a second category for books on global conservation and climate change.